Maundy Thursday

In this Maundy Thursday message, Pastor Shane examines Jesus' serving the Twelve, as a model for us to serve each other. Click here for the recording of this 4/17 Service, and you can fast-forward to 10:23 to get to the start of the sermon.

Our text comes from the John 12-20

12 Then, when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. 14 So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. 16 Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.

17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18 I am not speaking about all of you. I know the ones whom I have chosen; but this is happening so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send, receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

Introduction

• Tonight we commemorate Jesus’ washing of the feet of the Twelve, and The Last Supper

• “On its own, the word maundy means “the ceremony of washing the feet of the poor, especially commemorating Jesus’s washing of his disciples’ feet” on Maundy Thursday.

• The word maundy comes from the Old French mande, in turn from the Latin mandātum, which means “mandate or command.” As you may have guessed, this Latin word is the source of the English mandate.” (dictionary.com)

• “The meaning of washing feet is layered: it’s said that in the ancient world, a host would offer water for guests to wash their feet (sandals being the footwear of the day). So, washing feet is a sign of hospitality—of welcoming and care.

• It is also an act of humility, as it’s said servants often washed feet. The son of God, as Christians believe Jesus is, doing something so lowly? Christians have come to interpret Jesus’s washing of the feet as an illustration of a humble mission of service.” (dictionary.com)

• “The act has also come to symbolize the cleansing of sin from his fellow Christians—and so Jesus’s new commandment was urging his disciples to show forgiveness to all.

• Today, this act is frequently reenacted, among other occasions, during Maundy Thursday services, with [pastors] washing the feet of their parishioners.” (dictionary.com)

What is happening in the text

• Jesus has just washed the feet of the Twelve, a common act, and  role that would have been reserved for the bond-slave, doulos

• Likely, He had stripped to his undergarment, because the text says He “had taken His garments” )himation- cloak, robe, upper garment)- some pictures have Him in a loincloth

• ”Do you know what I have done (poieō- practiced, modeled) for you?”

• You call me teacher and Lord, for that is what I am- He freely accepted those roles

• If I as teacher and Lord wash your feet, you should do the same for each other- literal, or figurative?

• I gave you an example, hupodeigma- a model or pattern to copy

• What I did for you, you are to do for each other- again, figuratively, or literally?

• The slave is not greater than his master, nor the sent greater than the sender

• If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (this implies that one can know, and not do)

• I am not speaking about all of you (He implies there is a separation going on)

• I know the ones who I have chosen

• He then quotes Ps 41.9- my close friend, whom I trusted, ate my bread, then lifted up his heel against me

• Going forward, I will tell you in advance what is going to happen, so that you will believe me

• The one who receives anyone I send receives me, who then receives the Father

What do we learn from this?

1. Jesus served in the washing of feet, as a pattern for us to serve
   how are you serving?

2. He freely accepted the role of teacher (which calls for learners) and Lord (which calls for followers)- are you learning, are you following?

3. Knowledge is not enough; it must be followed by action- “to him who knows to do good and does it not…” Ja 4.17

4. Jesus knows the real from the fraudulent; which one are you?  Peter and Judas, 16.6%; own and repent of the hypocrisy in yourself

5. We are the sent, in His name; let’s make sure that when they receive us, they are receiving Him